Empowered Assessments: Strengthening the Country’s Toxicology Centers
As toxic exposures continue to pose significant public health challenges in the Philippines' diverse archipelagic setting, strengthening the capacity of toxicology centers becomes increasingly crucial. The Ateneo Center for Research and Innovation (ACRI), in partnership with the Batangas Medical Center Toxicology Specialty Center, organized a comprehensive "Training Workshop on Human Risk Assessment, Management, Communication, and its Applications" last July 15-19, 2024, at Hortz Hotel, Tagaytay City.
Medical professionals and experts from Department of Health (DOH) Toxicology Specialty Centers across the country participated in this vital initiative aimed at enhancing the nation's preparedness and response capabilities in managing chemical emergencies and toxic exposures.
The training featured intensive lecture sessions coupled with interactive activities designed to reinforce practical applications. Dr. Yu-Syuan Luo, a distinguished professor from National Taiwan University and toxicology expert, led sessions on hazard identification, exposure assessment, risk characterization, health risk assessment, and food safety applications. To bridge theory and practice, participants assessed real-world case studies that demonstrated the practical implementation of these assessment tools.
Prof. Luo (in yellow) assisting participants during the case study activity. Photo from Facebook page of Batangas Medical CenterToxicology Specialty Center
Dr. Gelo Apostol, head of ACRI's Environmental Health Flagship program and environmental health specialist, emphasized the critical importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in risk assessment. His lecture underscored the necessity of developing robust coordination systems to facilitate effective partnerships among various stakeholders.
Contributing valuable insights on community engagement, environmental health researcher Dr. Sary Valenzuela shared proven strategies for effective risk communication. She emphasized that assessment skills must be complemented by the ability to communicate findings clearly to diverse audiences, ensuring that critical information reaches and benefits communities.
The training workshop represents ACRI's commitment to bolstering national and local initiatives for poison prevention and mitigation efforts, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the Philippines' toxicology response capabilities.
Members of the Environmental Health and Global Health Security Flagship Program as participants and facilitators of the health assessment training workshop.
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